Part-Time Evening J.D.

If you are a working professional seeking a highly selective, competitive legal education, Chicago-Kent's Part-Time Evening J.D. Program is for you. In recent years entering class sizes have ranged from about 20 to 35 students, providing for a low student/faculty ratio and close interaction with faculty members. 

A Part-time Schedule Designed to Meet Your Needs

As a first-year evening student at Chicago-Kent, you may follow a traditional evening schedule with classes held Monday through Thursday evening, or choose a flexible schedule that begins earlier in the summer and reduces your course load during the fall semester.

Beginning in Fall 2024, first-year evening classes will meet in-person three days per week (Monday-Wednesday) and will meet remotely on Thursday. As an upper-level student, a substantial number of evening courses will also be held remotely on Thursdays.  

View Sample Schedules

After completing your first year of required doctrinal classes, there is substantial flexibility to tailor your schedule to your personal circumstances. If your work schedule permits, you may take up to half of your courses during the day. Although not all elective courses are offered in the evening division, we ensure that recommended courses, and a wide variety of other electives, are offered in the evening. Some courses are scheduled at 4 p.m. and attract a mixed enrollment of both full-time and part-time students. Full-time faculty regularly teach in the evening division, including all required doctrinal courses.

"I am a much more well-rounded professional thanks to Chicago-Kent’s classes, student body, and faculty. All my professors tailor their classes to demonstrate how a specific area of law impacts contemporary issues, and there are even classes dedicated to preparing students for the way new technology or future societal trends will shape how legal professionals represent their clients." — Royal Chase Farley ’25

Part-time Evening Program Overview

• First-year courses are scheduled Monday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9:25 p.m. with in-person classes three days per week and remote classes on Thursday.
   
• Part-time students normally take 8 to 11 credit hours per semester, compared to 12 to 16 credit hours for full-time students.
   
• Evening students can finish their degree requirements in four years, particularly if they take classes during one summer session.
   
• Students have access to a wide range of elective courses and have full access to the professional and networking opportunities available to all Chicago-Kent students.
   
• For continuing evening students, a significant number of upper-level evening classes will meet remotely on Thursday.

Part-time Day Option Available

"I’ve really enjoyed my time at Chicago-Kent thus far. My evening section has the bonus of really understanding the demands of working full time/school part time. We’ve got a really wonderful, supportive cohort without the cliché 'competitiveness' that you would think you'd find in law school. Even now in 3L year, where we are all branching off into electives, we continue to support each-other whole-heartedly!" — Anna Ylitalo ’25

Questions?

If you have any questions about the evening J.D. Program at Chicago-Kent or would like to speak with students who are currently enrolled in the program, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@kentlaw.iit.edu or 312.906.5020. 

You can also fill out our Request for Information form to learn more about the Evening Program and receive a copy of our Viewbook.